Ravages of time please

So, who are today's consumers of these once-ubiquitous staples? In the past, they were strictly for the 'upper classes' with the footnote that there was a long period when sherry was considered by northern Europeans as a cheap way of getting drunk. Sherry, in particular, has seen a dramatic drop in popularity, losing ground to trendier and more widely consumed alcoholic beverages.

WINE OF THE WEEK

• Dry Sack sherry

• Unquestionably one of the icons of the drinks business, it was introduced by Williams and Humbert in 1906 as a medium sherry to suit all tastes and has proved its worth over a century and a half Around ten euros.

But while both products may no longer be household staples, they have found new life in certain circles. Enthusiasts of fortified wines, wine connoisseurs, and those with a nostalgic connection to these drinks still appreciate their complex flavours and rich histories. Moreover, a new generation of drinkers, particularly those interested in wine as an investment may help revive their status, albeit in different forms.

Ultimately, while their role has shifted in modern society, port and sherry remain cherished by a dedicated few, even if they are no longer the go-to choices for the majority of today's drinkers.